chords help?

Hey everyone.

I really don't understand the first 8 pages of chapter 9 in the rock course. (Open chords rock: Rhythm and Embellishments)

It's not the physical part that i lack in, it's the Theory part that i don't understand. For me it just seems like alot of wiered fingerings that he is doing, and for me he is talking in riddels
Suspended chords? 7'th Chords? Add chords? Wiered chord numbers in the tabs?
How can i get to understand it :confused:

It would help alot, thanks.

Hi,

I had a click through the lesson set you mention... perhaps you need to go back a bit and review material so you understand all the terms used.

That said, I've started writing a theory guide in the newsletter recently, and the third installment deals with scale degrees which would seem to be the bit you need most urgently to understand the chord embellishments. You can check it out here. It's grade 1 music theory, so maybe try reviewing the 3 parts I've written so far... it will probably help.

I didn't see any weird numbers in the tabs or weird fingerings in the tabs or the video so am unsure what you mean there, but here's a quick rundown of the other things you mention:

A major chord is the root, third and fifth notes of the major scale, so a C major chord is the notes C, E and G. A suspended chord has no third, it has been 'suspended'.... or rather replaced, usually by the 4th note in the scale, so a Csus4 would be the notes C, F and G.

A major 7th chord is the root, third, fifth and seventh notes in the scale, so C,E,G and B.

An 'add9' chord is the normal triad (root, third and fifth), plus the ninth note in the scale (hence the 'add 9'). Now, there are only 8 notes in the scale, so it actually means the second note of the scale in the second octave, so you would have C, E, G and D.

If we're in the key of C and you're asked to play the 5 chord, that means to play the chord rooted on the 5th note of the scale, so you would play G major.

I hope that helps...

Originally Posted by: ren
A major 7th chord is the root, third, fifth and seventh notes in the scale, so C,E,G and B.
[/QUOTE]

Could this also be called A add 7? (As compared to the quote below.)


[QUOTE=ren]
An 'add9' chord is the normal triad (root, third and fifth), plus the ninth note in the scale (hence the 'add 9'). Now, there are only 8 notes in the scale, so it actually means the second note of the scale in the second octave, so you would have C, E, G and D.

What is the purpose of 'add 9'? Why not 'add 2'?

I guess, but 'add7' chords do not exist.. there is no need for them. Any triad with the seventh added becomes a seventh chord of some description. The purpose of the 'add9' suffix is more to distinguish it from a ninth chord... for example:

A Cadd9 is a C major triad (C, E and G) with the ninth (D) added.

A Cmaj9 chord includes the 7th, so you'd have C, E, G, B and D

It's an 'add9' because the note you're adding is in the second octave, so it is the ninth note of the parent major scale. Play a 2 octave major scale... the ninth note you play is the one you want for the add9.

Thanks Ren, can you give me the links to the other parts that i should read?

It would mean alot to me, because i really really wonna get good at this. And having the theoretical background i think is a very good thing! Very crucial.

I just have a really hard time knowing where to start, and how to understand it, and use it practically in my playing. Any advises?

Iv allready gone through fundamentals 1 and 2, and i think i got the most of it down.

Hope i will get wiser and better soon. :confused:

Casper.

The 3 parts of music theory grade 1 are here:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Part 4 should be coming along soon and then we'll be on to grade 2, so subscribe to the newsletter to make sure you don't miss any :). Many players don't read a note of music, or understand particularly what's going on... and in many cases they don't find that a limitation. But, I think the theory side can really help your playing, and if you're going to be a musician you might as well speak the language.

If once you've read the three pieces you have any questions, please feel free to PM me.

Originally Posted by: caponi14It's not the physical part that i lack in, it's the Theory part that i don't understand.

The most crucial part of understanding chord is being able to see the chord tones on the fretboard and hear them in your mind. Here is my list of tutorials that cover chord theory.

Music Theory Overview - see lesson 5 for chords:
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=495

Triads and Inversions:
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=148
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=730
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=731
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=733
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=734

CAGED system:
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=383

Dominant 7ths:
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=479
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=499
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=500

Major and Minor 7ths:
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=501

Visualizing any and all intervals - works for scales and chords!
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=462

Hope this helps.

Thanks Chris, you really give me alot to work with :)

Thanks alot!